Trigger guard-engaging gun lock

ABSTRACT

A trigger-engaging plug for a firearm having of the type that is a trigger guard defining lateral openings and a trigger. A rear portion of the trigger is spaced from and in opposed relation with a portion of the firearm frame. The plug includes a base portion having a size and shape corresponding generally to one of the lateral openings. The plug also has a trigger-blocking projection extending from and positioned generally at one end of the base portion. The trigger-blocking projection defines a lock shackle-receiving bore. A tang extends from and is positioned on the base portion and in opposed relation with the first or trigger-blocking projection. The trigger-blocking and tang define a recess of a size and shape corresponding to a trigger. When the plug is inserted in the trigger guard of a firearm, the trigger is received within the recess, the trigger-blocking projection is positioned behind the trigger to prevent the trigger from being actuated, and the bore is positioned to receive a lock shackle between the rear of the trigger and the firearm frame. Another embodiment of the invention is for single action and other firearms with less space between the trigger and frame behind the trigger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to locks for firearms, and moreparticularly to locks which are inserted within and engage the triggerguards of firearms to prevent actuation of a trigger.

The safe storage of firearms is becoming a more important issue witheach passing day. All too often, news reports contain stories concerningchildren and adults who are either injured or killed by a person whogained access to a firearm which was either unlocked, carelessly hidden,or believed by its owner to be safely locked. Firearm locks play animportant role in firearm safety, specifically where a firearm is storedor otherwise will not be used for a period of time. There are numeroustypes of locks for handguns, rifles and other types of firearms,including locks which engage the trigger guard or which conceal thetrigger of the handgun or other firearm. One exemplary lock is aninsert-type lock, which is positioned within or around the triggerguard, and covers and prevents access to the trigger.

Insert-type locks described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,664,658 to Bjorklund;2,742,726 to Feller; 3,222,809 to Bryan; 3,392,471 to Foote; 4,509,281to Dreiling; 4,852,286 to Troncoso et al.; 5,050,328 to Insko; 4,719,713to Hagle; 5,033,218 to Nelson; and 5,400,538 to Shannon show gun lockswhich include members positioned behind a trigger and between thetrigger and trigger guard or frame. However, none of those devicesincludes a lock positioned behind the trigger, i.e., between the rear ofthe trigger and the frame. It is therefore possible to remove the insertfrom the trigger housing even if the lock is in place. Since a lock usedwith any of the above devices is positioned in front of the trigger, achild or other person who removes the plug from a "locked" firearm canactuate the trigger, potentially with catastrophic results.

A lock which may be positioned behind a trigger is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,367,811 to Sansom. The Sansom lock device is a speciallyconstructed lock, and designed to appear to be key-operated. A lockingloop 23 is passed within a trigger guard 12 of a fire arm 11. Thelocking loop 23 is locked into a housing 15 by a latch plate 18a. Afalse key 22 is also provided, but does not operate. Sansom does notrequire that the lock be positioned behind the trigger. Moreover, theSansom device does not lock. Thus, any person is capable of quicklymanually removing the "lock" and firing the weapon. Sansom also does notemploy a conventional lock.

In some firearms, particularly single action and some smaller caliberhandguns, the spacing between the trigger and the rear portion of thetrigger guard/frame is too small to receive a lock shackle. One proposeddevice for these firearms is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,590,516 to devon Breymann. Von Breymann shows a trigger safety for firearms, andincludes a block 10, which is adapted to fit in a trigger guard 12 anddefines a recess 16 for receiving the firearm trigger 18. A circulardisk 28 is received for sliding movement in the block, and a handle 30is provided for sliding the disk 28 to cover or uncover trigger 18 whenthe trigger is positioned within the recess 16. While the von Breymanndevice includes a cover 20 behind the trigger, there is no mechanism forlocking the trigger safety once it is installed on the firearm. Thus, auser or another person could easily remove the trigger safety and firethe weapon.

It would be desirable to provide a locking device which overcomes thedrawbacks and disadvantages of known devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a trigger-engagingplug is adapted for a firearm that has a trigger guard defining lateralopenings and a trigger. In such a firearm, a rear portion of the triggeris spaced from, and in opposed relation with, a portion of the firearmframe. The trigger is moveable towards the firearm frame to actuate thetrigger.

A base portion of the plug has a size and shape corresponding generallyto one of the lateral openings. The plug includes a trigger-blockingprojection, which extends from and is positioned generally at one end ofthe base portion. The trigger-blocking projection defines a lockshackle-receiving bore.

The plug further preferably includes a tang, which extends from and ispositioned on the base portion, and in opposed relation with thetrigger-blocking projection. The trigger-blocking projection and thetang define a recess corresponding to the size and shape of a trigger.When the plug is inserted in the trigger guard of a firearm, the triggeris received within the recess, the trigger-blocking projection ispositioned behind the trigger to prevent the trigger from beingactuated, and the bore is positioned to receive a lock shackle betweenthe rear of the trigger and the firearm frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, a trigger-engaging insertis provided for a firearm of the type that has a trigger guard defininglateral openings and a trigger, as above, but the clearance between therear portion of the trigger and the firearm frame is not great enough toreceive a lock shackle.

The insert includes a central projecting portion having a face of a sizeand shape corresponding to one of the openings and defining athroughboro extending between the lateral openings of the trigger guardfor receiving a lock shackle, and a trigger-blocking projectionpositioned at one end in the space between the trigger and the frame toprevent movement and actuation of the trigger. The insert defines atrigger-receiving recess between the trigger-blocking projection, andthe central projecting portion.

A slide is coupled to the insert, and is movable between first andsecond positions. In one position, the slide substantially covers thethrough bore and permits access to the recess to enable the trigger tobe installed in and removed from the recess. In the other position, theslide covers the recess, conceals the trigger and permits access to thethrough bore to enable the insert to be locked to the firearm. Thetrigger blocking projection is then positioned in the space between thetrigger and the frame to prevent actuation of the trigger.

The present invention has a number of advantages over known devices. Inthe first embodiment, the present invention provides a trigger-engagingplug that blocks rearward movement and actuation of the trigger. Inaddition, the trigger-engaging plug requires the user to pass a lockshackle behind the trigger, and thus the trigger cannot be actuated evenif the trigger-engaging plug is removed from the trigger guard whilelocked. The present invention thus enhances the safety with which afirearm is stored. In the second embodiment, the present invention notonly provides an insert used in combination with a lock, but the lockcannot be locked unless the insert is properly installed on the firearm.

In either embodiment, the present invention provides a measure of safetythat is inexpensive and simple to operate, and is readily adaptable foruse with either handguns or long guns. Each embodiment is fabricated ofa molded plastic material. Therefore, the present devices can bemanufactured at a significantly lower cost than the speciallyconstructed locks discussed above.

Both embodiments fit within a firearm trigger guard, rather than aroundthe guard as do "clamshell" type locks which cover the trigger guard andtrigger, to prevent the presence of gaps between the plug or insert andthe trigger guard. Thus, the present invention provides a more securelocking than clamshell type devices, since there are no gaps around thetrigger guard between which an implement can be inserted to actuate thetrigger.

The present devices are each used with a separate lock. By employing aplug or insert separate from the lock, it is possible to use a lock ofconventional construction, which further reduces the costs associatedwith locking a firearm, and further promotes the safe storage offirearms.

Additional advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the artin view of the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert-type trigger-engaging plug inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the trigger-engaging plug taken along theline I--I of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the trigger-engaging plug of FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the trigger-engaging plug of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of thetrigger-engaging insert in accordance with the present invention, with aslide portion of the embodiment removed, for use with smaller caliberand other firearms having less clearance between a trigger and theassociated frame.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the slide portion of the second embodiment ofFIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lock of FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrating theslide in a first, retracted position for installing and removing theinsert to a firearm.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the slide in asecond, trigger covering position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIG. 1, trigger-engaging plug in accordance with thepresent invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.The plug is designed to fit into the trigger guard 11 of most of thehandguns manufactured by Smith & Wesson Corp., the assignee of thepresent invention, as shown for example in dashed lines in FIG. 4. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the specific dimensions of theplug illustrated in the drawings can be adjusted to fit handgunsproduced by other manufacturers, as well as many other types offirearms.

The plug 10 includes a base portion 12, a first or rearwardtrigger-blocking projection 14, a tang 16, and a second or frontwardprojection 18. The plug is monolithic and is preferably fabricated froman injection-molded polymer such as the material marketed under the name"ZYTEL®" by E.I. duPont de Nemours, of Wilmington, Del., although othermaterials may be employed with equal effect.

The base portion 12 is of a size and shape to generally correspond tothe size and shape of an opening 20 defined between the trigger guard 11(FIG. 4) and the adjacent portion of the frame 22 (FIG. 4) of thehandgun. Preferably, the base portion is slightly larger than theopening 20, but the base portion need not be so large. An area 24 of thebase portion adjacent to the first projection 14 is removed tofacilitate inserting a plug shackle into the lock 10, as is describedfurther below.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first or trigger-blocking projection 14 ispositioned at one end of the base portion 12, and extends upwardly (asillustrated in the drawings) from the base portion. The first projection14 is angled at its top, and defines a throughbore 26 through which ashackle of a conventional lock is passed when a trigger-engaging plug 10is placed in the trigger guard 11 to releasably lock thetrigger-engaging plug onto the firearm, as is described further below.The first projection also defines a sidewall 28 which is shaped tocorrespond at least generally to the shape of a rear portion of atrigger 30 (FIG. 4). The first projection extends between the rearportion of the trigger 30 and an adjacent portion of the frame 22 inorder to prevent actuation of the trigger and discharge of the firearm.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tang 16 is positioned near themiddle of the base portion 12, and extends upwardly (as illustrated inthe drawings) from the base portion, preferably extending upwardlyfurther than does the first projection. The tang 16 includes acantilevered flange with a shoulder 32. The tang 16 also defines asidewall 46. The shoulder 32 extends from the tang 16 towards thetrigger-engaging or first projection. The first projection and the tangcooperate to define a trigger-receiving recess 34. As the plug 10 isinserted into the trigger guard, the trigger is inserted over theshoulder, which snaps onto the trigger and retains the trigger in thetrigger-retaining recess 34. The top of the tang 16 includes a texturedsurface 36, to enable the flange to be moved as indicated by the arrow40 in FIG. 2. When the trigger-engaging plug is installed and a lockshackle is removed, the top surface is manually moved away from thefirst projection 14, to move the shoulder 32 away from the trigger 30and enable the trigger-engaging plug 10 to be removed from the firearm.

The second projection 18 is positioned at the other end 44 of the baseportion 12, and extends upwardly (as illustrated in the drawings) fromthe base portion, wherein the tang extends upwardly slightly beyond thesecond projection, so that the top surface 36 of the tang 16 is a capand can be moved sufficiently to remove the trigger-engaging plug 10, asdescribed above. The second projection and the tang cover a portion ofthe opening 20 formed by the trigger guard 11 and the firearm frame 22,and specifically to cover substantially all of that portion of theopening between the trigger 30 and the front of the trigger guard 11, toprevent a user from placing a lock in front of the trigger. Thus, a useris required to lock the firearm by passing a lock shackle through thebore 26 associated with the first or trigger-blocking projection 14 andbehind the trigger 30. A lock positioned behind the trigger thereforeprevents actuation of the trigger even if the trigger-engaging plug 10is accidentally or intentionally removed from the trigger guard whilethe firearm is locked.

As noted above, in some firearms, particularly single action and somesmaller caliber firearms, the space between the rear of the trigger andthe adjacent portion of the firearm frame is not great enough to pass alock shackle. Nevertheless, it is desirable to provide an insert-typelock for such firearms which is capable of receiving a lock shackle topositively prevent actuation of the trigger. A second embodiment of thepresent invention is indicated generally in FIG. 8 by the referencenumeral 52, and includes a base 53 (FIG. 5) and a slide 54 (FIG. 6). Asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slide is mounted on and movable relative tothe base between first and second positions. The insert is preferablyfabricated from an injection-molded polymer such as the materialmarketed under the name "ZYTEL"® by E.I. duPont de Nemours, ofWilmington, Del., although other materials may be employed with equaleffect.

The base plate 53 is of a size and shape to generally correspond to thesize and shape of an opening 56 defined between the trigger guard 58(FIGS. 7 and 8) and the adjacent portion of the frame 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8)of the handgun. Preferably, the base portion is slightly larger than theopening 56, but the base portion need not be so large.

A central projecting portion 62 is positioned on the base plate 53, andextends upwardly (as illustrated in the drawings) from the base plate.As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the central projecting portion is positionedbetween the front of the trigger 64 and the trigger guard 58, when theinsert is installed on the firearm. Returning to FIG. 5, the centralprojecting portion 62 defines a throughbore 66 through which a shackleof a conventional lock is passed when and insert 52 is placed in thetrigger guard 58, to releasably lock the insert onto the firearm, as isdescribed further below. The central projecting portion 62 also definesa sidewall 68 which is shaped to correspond at least generally to theshape of a rear portion of a trigger 64 (FIG. 7).

In FIG. 5, the central projecting portion also includes a pair ofopposed guides 70, 72 for movably receiving the slide 54 (FIG. 6). Eachguide defines a slot 74, 76, and corresponding tabs 78, 80 (FIG. 6 andin partial phantom in FIG. 7) on the slide 54. A trigger blockingprojection 82 is positioned at an end of the base plate 53, and fitsbehind the trigger 64, and between the trigger and the frame 60, toprevent actuation of the trigger.

In operation, the slide 54 is moved back and forth to install, lock andremove the insert. With reference to FIG. 7, the slide 54 is positionedin the first, or installing/removing position to expose a triggerreceiving recess 84 defined by the central projecting portion 62 and thetrigger blocking projection 82. The insert 52 is placed in the triggerguard 58 so that the trigger 64 is received within the recess 84. Theslide 54 covers the bore 66, so that the trigger cannot be improperlylocked.

Once the trigger is positioned in the recess 84, the slide 54 is thenmoved to cover the trigger, as illustrated in FIG. 8. At the same time,the slide uncovers the lock-receiving bore 66, so that a lock shackle ofa conventional lock (not shown) can be passed through the bore to securethe firearm. The gun is then locked, and the trigger is covered andcannot be actuated.

The present invention has a number of advantages over known devices. Inthe first embodiment, the present invention provides a trigger-engagingplug that blocks rearward movement and actuation of the trigger. Inaddition, the plug requires the user to pass a lock shackle behind thetrigger, and thus the trigger cannot be actuated even if thetrigger-engaging plug is removed from the trigger guard while locked.The present invention thus enhances the safety with which a firearm isstored. In the second embodiment, the present invention not onlyprovides an insert used in combination with a lock, but the lock cannotbe locked unless it is properly installed on the firearm.

In either embodiment, the present invention provides a measure of safetythat is inexpensive and simple to operate, and is readily adaptable foruse with either handguns or long guns. Each embodiment is fabricated ofa molded plastic material. Therefore, the present devices can bemanufactured at a significantly lower cost than the speciallyconstructed locks discussed above.

Both embodiments fit within a firearm trigger guard, rather than aroundthe guard as do "clamshell" type locks, to prevent the presence of gapsbetween the plug or insert and the trigger guard. Thus, the presentinvention provides a more secure locking than clamshell type devices,since there are no gaps around the trigger guard between which animplement can be inserted to actuate the trigger.

The present devices are each used with a separate lock. By separatingthe plug or insert from the lock, it is possible to use a lock ofconventional construction, which further reduces the costs associatedwith locking a firearm, and further promotes the safe storage offirearms.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, variousmodifications and substitutions may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. For example, either embodiment mayinclude one or more additional tabs opposite the respective base plate,which tabs positively engage a trigger guard and help snap an installedinsert or plug in place. Accordingly, it is to be understood that thepresent invention has been described by way of example and not bylimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. For a firearm having a trigger guard with aninterior region contiguous with and extending from a firearm frame, andhaving a trigger extending from said firearm frame into said triggerguard region, the rear portion of the trigger being spaced from and inopposed relation with a portion of the firearm frame and moveabletowards the firearm frame to actuate firearm, a monolithictrigger-engaging plug comprising:a base portion having a recess forreceiving the trigger, said base portion outer circumference to besubstantially equal to said trigger guard interior region circumference;and a trigger-blocking projection extending from and positionedgenerally at one end of the base portion adjacent to the recess, thetrigger-blocking projection defining a lock shackle-receiving bore;wherein when the plug is inserted in a trigger guard of a firearm, thetrigger is received within the recess, the trigger-blocking projectionis positioned behind the trigger to prevent the trigger from being movedtoward the firearm frame and actuated, and the bore is positioned toreceive a lock shackle between the rear of the trigger and firearm frameto prevent trigger movement; a tang extending from and positioned on thebase portion and in opposed relation with said trigger-blockingprojection, the trigger-blocking projection and the tang defining thetrigger-receiving recess; a second projection extending from andpositioned on the base portion, and in opposed relation with the tang,the second projection and the tang being positioned between the front ofthe trigger and the trigger guard when the plug is inserted within thetrigger guard; wherein the second projection defines a recess and anopening along the base portion, and further comprising; a cap extendingfrom the tang and concealing the opening defined by the secondprojection.